MARSHALL, Texas – The execution and chemistry was on full display for the East Texas Baptist University men's soccer team in a 4-3 victory over the Howard Payne University in a non-conference match. ETBU has now scored seven goals in the last two matches and improves to 4-5-1 on the year.

"The guys showed up. We attacked a lot quicker tonight. We still have a lot of areas to work on but I'm proud of the fact that our guys are moving forward. It was a great team effort," head coach Chris Crawford said.

The game was a back and forth affair for much of the first half. Joel Botello scored his first goal of the season off of an assist by Tristan Gonzalez to give the Tigers the early 1-0 lead in the 16^th minute. The Yellow Jackets responded four minutes later with a goal of their own by Jorge Gutierrez-Fiel to knot the game at 1-1 at the 20:53 mark. The momentum switched in the next six minutes as HPU was able to tack on another goal and take the lead at 2-1 with 26:16 on the game clock.

ETBU battled back and once again scored another goal off of a header by Jordan Burke getting help from Silas Sangano, tying the game at 2-2 at the 26:57 point of the first period.Both teams were all even heading into halftime. The Tiger's put up nine shots in the first period to Howard Payne's three shots.

Two minutes into the second half, Daniel Rutter capitalized on a corner kick to give his team the 3-2 lead at the 47:21 mark of the game. Rutter then scored on yet another opportunity on a penalty kick just three minutes later, putting ETBU on top 4-2.

The Yellow Jackets netted one more goal to cut the lead to 4-3 but the Tigers were able to keep the visitors off the board to come away with the victory.

ETBU racked up 17 shots in the victory to go along with four saves. HPU had eight shots with seven on goal.

ETBU will face American Southwest Conference rival LeTourneau University at home on Oct. 7^th at 7:30 p.m.